U.S. patent number 7,685,835 [Application Number 11/587,097] was granted by the patent office on 2010-03-30 for air conditioning system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Daikin Industries, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Manabu Yoshimi.
United States Patent |
7,685,835 |
Yoshimi |
March 30, 2010 |
Air conditioning system
Abstract
An air conditioning system includes a heat source unit, an air
supply device that supplies the outside air to the room as the
ventilation air, a water supply type humidifier for humidifying the
ventilation air, a heating medium circuit, and a supply water
heating device. The heat source unit heats a heating medium that is
used for heating the room in a heating medium--refrigerant heat
exchanger. The heating medium circuit includes at least one room
heating device that releases the heat of the heating medium heated
in the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger into the room,
and circulates the heating medium between the room heating device
and the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger. The supply
water heating device uses the heat generated from the heat source
unit in order to heat water to be used in the humidifier.
Inventors: |
Yoshimi; Manabu (Sakai,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Daikin Industries, Ltd. (Osaka,
JP)
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Family
ID: |
35241761 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/587,097 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2005 |
PCT
Filed: |
April 28, 2005 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP2005/008191 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
October 20, 2006 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2005/106342 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
November 10, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20070234744 A1 |
Oct 11, 2007 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Apr 28, 2004 [JP] |
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2004-134353 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/324.1; 91/434;
62/91 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F
6/14 (20130101); F24F 3/044 (20130101); F24F
5/0089 (20130101); F25B 9/008 (20130101); F25B
2309/061 (20130101); Y02B 30/54 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F25B
13/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;62/324.1,238.6,91,434 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2237852 |
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Feb 1974 |
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DE |
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55-31459 |
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Jul 1980 |
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JP |
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61-66715 |
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May 1986 |
|
JP |
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62-91134 |
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Jun 1987 |
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JP |
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02-225924 |
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Sep 1990 |
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JP |
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03-177728 |
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Aug 1991 |
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JP |
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05-306849 |
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Nov 1993 |
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JP |
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2000-257936 |
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Sep 2000 |
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JP |
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2000-283535 |
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Oct 2000 |
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JP |
|
2001012774 |
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Jan 2001 |
|
JP |
|
2001-304614 |
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Oct 2001 |
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JP |
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2002-357340 |
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Dec 2002 |
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JP |
|
2003-050035 |
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Feb 2003 |
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JP |
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2003-050050 |
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Feb 2003 |
|
JP |
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2003-172523 |
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Jun 2003 |
|
JP |
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2004-003801 |
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Jan 2004 |
|
JP |
|
Primary Examiner: Tyler; Cheryl J
Assistant Examiner: Koagel; Jonathan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Global IP Counselors
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An air conditioning system capable of heating a room,
comprising: a heat source unit having a vapor compression
refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a heat source side heat
exchanger, an expansion mechanism, and a utilization side heat
exchanger fluidly connected to each other to circulate a
refrigerant within the vapor compression refrigerant circuit, the
heat source unit being configured to heat a heating medium in the
utilization side heat exchanger, the heating medium being a
different material from the refrigerant; an air supply device that
supplies an outside air into the room as a ventilation air; a water
supply humidifier arranged and configured to humidify the
ventilation air supplied by the air supply device; a heating medium
circuit having at least one room heating device that releases the
heat of the heating medium heated in the utilization side heat
exchanger to room air within the room, the heating medium circuit
being configured to circulate the heating medium between the room
heating device and the utilization side heat exchanger; and a
supply water heating device that uses the heat generated from the
heat source unit in order to heat water to be used in the
humidifier, the supply water heating device including a first
supply water heating device and a second supply water heating
device, the first and second supply water heating devices being
connected to the heating medium circuit, the heating medium circuit
being connected to the utilization side heat exchanger such that
the heating medium is sequentially supplied to the first supply
water heating device, the room heating device, and the second
supply water heating device, and the water to be used in the
humidifier being sequentially supplied to the second supply water
heating device and the first supply water heating device.
2. An air conditioning system capable of heating a room,
comprising: a heat source unit having a vapor compression
refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a heat source side heat
exchanger, an expansion mechanism, and a utilization side heat
exchanger fluidly connected to each other to circulate a
refrigerant within the vapor compression refrigerant circuit, the
heat source unit being configured to heat a heating medium in the
utilization side heat exchanger, the heating medium being a
different material from the refrigerant; an air supply device that
supplies an outside air into the room as a ventilation air; a water
supply humidifier arranged and configured to humidify the
ventilation air supplied by the air supply device; a heating medium
circuit having at least one room heating device that releases the
heat of the heating medium heated in the utilization side heat
exchanger to room air within the room, the heating medium circuit
being configured to circulate the heating medium between the room
heating device and the utilization side heat exchanger; and a
supply water heating device that uses the heat generated from the
heat source unit in order to heat water to be used in the
humidifier, the supply water heating device including a first
supply water heating device and a second supply water heating
device, the first supply water heating device being connected to
the refrigerant circuit such that the refrigerant sent from the
compressor to the utilization side heat exchanger is supplied to
the first supply water heating device, the second supply water
heating device being connected to the refrigerant circuit such that
the refrigerant sent from the utilization side heat exchanger to
the expansion mechanism is supplied to the second supply water
heating device, and the water to be used in the humidifier being
sequentially supplied to the second supply water heating device and
the first supply water heating device.
3. An air conditioning system capable of heating a room,
comprising: a heat source unit having a vapor compression
refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a heat source side heat
exchanger, an expansion mechanism, and a utilization side heat
exchanger fluidly connected to each other to circulate a
refrigerant within the vapor compression refrigerant circuit, the
heat source unit being configured to heat a heating medium in the
utilization side heat exchanger, the heating medium being a
different material from the refrigerant; an air supply device that
supplies an outside air into the room as a ventilation air; a water
supply humidifier arranged and configured to humidify the
ventilation air supplied by the air supply device; a heating medium
circuit having at least one room heating device that releases the
heat of the heating medium heated in the utilization side heat
exchanger to room air within the room, the heating medium circuit
being configured to circulate the heating medium between the room
heating device and the utilization side heat exchanger; and a
supply water heating device that uses the heat generated from the
heat source unit in order to heat water to be used in the
humidifier, the supply water heating device including a first
supply water heating device and a second supply water heating
device, the first supply water heating device being connected to
the refrigerant circuit such that the refrigerant sent from the
compressor to the utilization side heat exchanger is supplied to
the first supply water heating device, the second supply water
heating device being connected to the heating medium circuit, the
heating medium circuit being connected to the utilization side heat
exchanger such that the heating medium is sequentially supplied to
the room heating device and the second supply water heating device,
and the water to be used in the humidifier being sequentially
supplied to the second supply water heating device and the first
supply water heating device.
4. An air conditioning system capable of heating a room,
comprising: a heat source unit having a vapor compression
refrigerant circuit including a compressor, a heat source side heat
exchanger, an expansion mechanism, and a utilization side heat
exchanger fluidly connected to each other to circulate a
refrigerant within the vapor compression refrigerant circuit, the
heat source unit being configured to heat a heating medium in the
utilization side heat exchanger, the heating medium being a
different material from the refrigerant; an air supply device that
supplies an outside air into the room as a ventilation air; a water
supply humidifier arranged and configured to humidify the
ventilation air supplied by the air supply device; a heating medium
circuit having at least one room heating device that releases the
heat of the heating medium heated in the utilization side heat
exchanger to room air within the room, the heating medium circuit
being configured to circulate the heating medium between the room
heating device and the utilization side heat exchanger; and a
supply water heating device that uses the heat generated from the
heat source unit in order to heat water to be used in the
humidifier, the supply water heating device including a first
supply water heating device and a second supply water heating
device, the first supply water heating device being connected to
the heating medium circuit, the heating medium circuit being
connected to the utilization side heat exchanger such that the
heating medium is sequentially supplied to the first supply water
heating device and the room heating device, the second supply water
heating device being connected to the refrigerant circuit such that
the refrigerant sent from the utilization side heat exchanger to
the expansion mechanism is supplied to the second supply water
heating device, and the water to be used in the humidifier being
sequentially supplied to the second supply water heating device and
the first supply water heating device.
5. The air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein the
humidifier includes a moisture permeable film that allows moisture
to permeate therethrough, and is configured to humidify the
ventilation air by causing water heated by the supply water heating
device to contact with the ventilation air via the moisture
permeable film.
6. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the
refrigerant that flows through the refrigerant circuit includes
CO.sub.2.
7. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the
air supply device includes an outdoor air heating heat exchanger
that releases the heat of the heating medium heated in the
utilization side heat exchanger to the outside air that is supplied
into the room as the ventilation air, and the heating medium
circuit circulates the heating medium between the room heating
device, the outdoor air heating heat exchanger and the utilization
side heat exchanger.
8. The air conditioning system according to claim 7, wherein the
heating medium circuit is arranged and configured so that the room
heating device receives the heating medium from the utilization
side heat exchanger before the outdoor air heating heat
exchanger.
9. The air conditioning system according to claim 8, wherein the
heating medium circuit includes a plurality of room heating devices
connected in series such that the outdoor air heating heat
exchanger receives the heating medium from the utilization side
heat exchanger after the room heating devices.
10. The air conditioning system according to claim 9, wherein a
first of the room heating devices connected in series receives the
heating medium directly from the utilization side heat exchanger
without any additional heating devices heating the heating medium
therebetween.
11. The air conditioning system according to claim 7, wherein the
heating medium circuit includes a plurality of room heating devices
connected in series.
12. The air conditioning system according to claim 11, wherein a
first of the room heating devices connected in series receives the
heating medium directly from the utilization side heat exchanger
without any additional heating devices heating the heating medium
therebetween.
13. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the
refrigerant that flows through the refrigerant circuit includes
CO.sub.2.
14. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the
air supply device includes an outdoor air heating heat exchanger
that releases the heat of the heating medium heated in the
utilization side heat exchanger to the outside air that is supplied
into the room as the ventilation air, and the heating medium
circuit circulates the heating medium between the room heating
device, the outdoor air heating heat exchanger and the utilization
side heat exchanger.
15. The air conditioning system according to claim 14, wherein the
heating medium circuit is arranged and configured so that the room
heating device receives the heating medium from the utilization
side heat exchanger before the outdoor air heating heat
exchanger.
16. The air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein the
refrigerant that flows through the refrigerant circuit includes
CO.sub.2.
17. The air conditioning system according to claim 3, wherein the
air supply device includes an outdoor air heating heat exchanger
that releases the heat of the heating medium heated in the
utilization side heat exchanger to the outside air that is supplied
into the room as the ventilation air, and the heating medium
circuit circulates the heating medium between the room heating
device, the outdoor air heating heat exchanger and the utilization
side heat exchanger.
18. The air conditioning system according to claim 17, wherein the
heating medium circuit is arranged and configured so that the room
heating device receives the heating medium from the utilization
side heat exchanger before the outdoor air heating heat
exchanger.
19. The air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein the
refrigerant that flows through the refrigerant circuit includes
CO.sub.2.
20. The air conditioning system according to claim 4, wherein the
air supply device includes an outdoor air heating heat exchanger
that releases the heat of the heating medium heated in the
utilization side heat exchanger to the outside air that is supplied
into the room as the ventilation air, and the heating medium
circuit circulates the heating medium between the room heating
device, the outdoor air heating heat exchanger and the utilization
side heat exchanger.
21. The air conditioning system according to claim 20, wherein the
heating medium circuit is arranged and configured so that the room
heating device receives the heating medium from the utilization
side heat exchanger before the outdoor air heating heat exchanger.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This U.S. National stage application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) to Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-134353,
filed in Japan on Apr. 28, 2004, the entire contents of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an air conditioning system. More
specifically, the present invention relates to an air conditioning
system capable of heating the room.
BACKGROUND ART
As an air conditioning system capable of heating the room,
conventionally known is a system configured by connecting room
heating devices such as a radiator and a fan convector to a heat
source unit having a vapor compression type refrigerant circuit
(for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos.
2003-50035, 2003-172523 and 2003-50050). Such an air conditioning
system heats the room by heating the floor and indoor air.
In addition, as a heat source unit of such an air conditioning
system, a unit having a refrigerant circuit that uses CO.sub.2 as
the refrigerant is used in some cases. In such a heat source unit
that uses CO.sub.2 as the refrigerant, the refrigerant temperature
on a discharge side of a compressor can be increased, and
therefore, for example, when an air conditioning system is
configured such that the heat of a heating medium heated by a
utilization side heat exchanger in the heat source unit is released
into the room in the room heating devices, the temperature level
that can be used for heating a room in the room heating devices can
be increased. This will achieve comfortable room heating.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
When an air conditioning system as described above is used for air
conditioning in a house with high airtightness, the minimally
necessary ventilation in the room needs to be performed in order to
maintain indoor air quality (hereinafter referred to as IAQ).
However, when the temperature of outdoor air is low such as during
the winter season (hereinafter referred to as a low outdoor air
temperature period), outdoor air whose temperature is lower than
that of indoor air will be supplied to the room as the ventilation
air, so that a heat load due to ventilation in the room
(hereinafter referred to as a ventilation heat load) will be
generated. This ventilation heat load will be treated by the room
heating devices after the ventilation air is supplied to the room
and mixed with indoor air, which consequently causes the room
occupant to feel discomfort due to the supply of low temperature
ventilation air (hereinafter referred to as a cold draft). In
particular, in recent years, there are more houses having high
airtightness and high heat insulation properties, in which high
heat insulation properties are added besides high airtightness. In
such houses having high airtightness and high heat insulation
properties, improved heat insulation properties can reduce the
total amount of heat load; however, the ventilation heat load
necessary for maintenance of IAQ cannot be reduced. Therefore, the
proportion of the ventilation heat load to the total amount of heat
load to be treated in the air conditioning system is relatively
large.
Further, when the temperature of the outdoor air is low such as
during the winter season (hereinafter referred to as a low outdoor
air temperature period), outdoor air whose absolute humidity is
lower than that of indoor air will be supplied to the room as the
ventilation air. As a result, the humidity in the room will
decrease, causing a problem that the room will be dry, when trying
to ensure the required amount of ventilation in order to maintain
the IAQ as described above.
In addition, when the above described type of a heat source unit
that uses CO.sub.2 as the refrigerant is used, the temperature
level that can be used in the room heating devices can be
increased, however, the temperature difference between an inlet and
an outlet of the utilization side heat exchanger will be reduced,
resulting in a reduced coefficient of performance (hereinafter
referred to as COP) of the heat source unit. Accordingly, it is
desired to improve the COP in an air conditioning system capable of
heating the room, which uses a heat source unit that uses CO.sub.2
as the refrigerant.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent, in an
air conditioning system capable of heating the room, a decrease in
the humidity in the room caused by the ventilation air that is
supplied to the room for ventilation in the room.
An air conditioning system according to a first aspect of the
present invention is an air conditioning system capable of heating
the room, comprising a heat source unit, an air supply device, a
humidifier, a heating medium circuit, and a supply water heating
device. The heat source unit includes a vapor compression type
refrigerant circuit having a compressor, a heat source side heat
exchanger, an expansion mechanism, and a utilization side heat
exchanger, and is capable of heating, in the utilization side heat
exchanger, a heating medium that is used for heating the room. The
air supply device supplies an outdoor air to the room as a
ventilation air. The humidifier is a water supply type humidifier
that humidifies the ventilation air. The heating medium circuit
includes at least one room heating device that releases into the
room the heat of the heating medium heated in the utilization side
heat exchanger, and circulates the heating medium between the room
heating device and the utilization side heat exchanger. The supply
water heating device uses the heat generated from the heat source
unit to heat water to be used in the humidifier.
In this air conditioning system, the high temperature and high
pressure refrigerant compressed in and discharged from the
compressor heats the heating medium in the utilization side heat
exchanger. The heating medium heated in this utilization side heat
exchanger is sent to at least one room heating device, and used to
heat the room by releasing the heat of the heating medium into the
room, and the heating medium used in the room heating device to
heat the room and the ventilation air is again returned to the
utilization side heat exchanger. On the other hand, the refrigerant
cooled in the utilization side heat exchanger by heating the
heating medium is decompressed by the expansion mechanism, heated
in the heat source side heat exchanger, converted into a low
pressure refrigerant, and then again sucked into the compressor. In
addition, water to be used in the humidifier is heated in the
supply water heating device by using the heat generated from the
heat source unit. Then, the heated water is used in the humidifier
to humidify the ventilation air that is supplied to the room by the
air supply device. Note that the room heating device includes, for
example, a radiator, a fan convector, and a floor heating device.
In this way, this air conditioning system comprises the supply
water heating device that heats water to be used in the water
supply type humidifier, so that it is possible to efficiently
humidify the ventilation air by using preheated water and supply
this ventilation air to the room, when heating the room.
Accordingly, it will be possible to prevent a decrease in the
humidity in the room caused by the ventilation air that is supplied
to the room for ventilation in the room, therefore enhancing the
comfort of the room.
An air conditioning system according to a second aspect of the
present invention is the air conditioning system according to the
first aspect of the present invention, in which the supply water
heating device is connected to the heating medium circuit. The
heating medium circuit is connected to the utilization side heat
exchanger such that the heating medium heated in the utilization
side heat exchanger is supplied to the room heating device and then
supplied to the supply water heating device.
In this air conditioning system, the supply water heating device is
connected to the heating medium circuit, and the heating medium
circuit is connected to the utilization side heat exchanger such
that the heating medium heated in the utilization side heat
exchanger is supplied to the room heating device and then supplied
to the supply water heating device. Consequently, the room heating
device can use the heat of a high temperature heating medium that
just has been heated in the utilization side heat exchanger, and
the supply water heating device can use the heat of the heating
medium cooled by releasing its heat into the room in the room
heating device. Here, for example, when the tap water is used as
water to be used in the humidifier, the temperature of the tap
water is lower than that of the room air, and so the tap water may
be heated in the supply water heating device by using the heating
medium cooled by releasing its heat into the room by the room
heating device. Then, the heating medium used in the supply water
heating device to heat water to be used in the humidifier is
further cooled by heating the water, and then returned to the
utilization side heat exchanger. In this way, in this air
conditioning system, the heating medium cooled by releasing its
heat in the room heating device is supplied to the supply water
heating device and used to heat water to be used in the humidifier.
Consequently, the temperature difference between the inlet and the
outlet of the utilization side heat exchanger can be increased,
therefore improving the COP of the heat source unit.
An air conditioning system according to a third aspect of the
present invention is the air conditioning system according to the
first aspect of the present invention, in which the supply water
heating device is connected to the heating medium circuit. The
heating medium circuit is connected to the utilization side heat
exchanger such that the heating medium heated in the utilization
side heat exchanger is supplied to the supply water heating device
and then to the room heating device.
In this air conditioning system, the supply water heating device is
connected to the heating medium circuit, and the heating medium
circuit is connected to the utilization side heat exchanger such
that the heating medium heated in the utilization side heat
exchanger is supplied to the supply water heating device and then
to the room heating device. Accordingly, the supply water heating
device can use the heat of a high temperature heating medium that
just has been heated in the utilization side heat exchanger, and
the room heating device can use the heat of the heating medium
cooled by releasing its heat into the water in the supply water
heating device. Here, in order to efficiently humidify the
ventilation air in the humidifier, it is desirable that water is
heated to as high a temperature as possible. Therefore, for
example, when the tap water whose temperature is lower than that of
the room air is used as water to be used in the humidifier, the tap
water may be heated in the supply water heating device to a high
temperature by using the heat of a high temperature heating medium
that just has been heated in the utilization side heat exchanger.
Then, the heating medium used in the supply water heating device to
heat water to be used in the humidifier is cooled by heating water
and consequently used in the room heating device, and then returned
to the utilization side heat exchanger. In this way, in this air
conditioning system, a high temperature heating medium that just
has been heated in the utilization side heat exchanger is supplied
to the supply water heating device to heat water to be used in the
humidifier. Consequently, it will be possible to increase the
temperature difference between the inlet and the outlet of the
utilization side heat exchanger, therefore improving the COP of the
heat source unit.
An air conditioning system according to a fourth aspect of the
present invention is the air conditioning system according to the
first aspect of the present invention, in which the supply water
heating device includes a first supply water heating device and a
second supply water heating device. The first and second supply
water heating devices are connected to the heating medium circuit.
The heating medium circuit is connected to the utilization side
heat exchanger such that the heating medium heated in the
utilization side heat exchanger is sequentially supplied to the
first supply water heating device, the room heating device, and the
second supply water heating device.
In this air conditioning system, the first and second supply water
heating devices are connected to the heating medium circuit, and
the heating medium circuit is connected to the utilization side
heat exchanger such that the heating medium heated in the
utilization side heat exchanger is sequentially supplied to the
first supply water heating device, the room heating device, and the
second supply water heating device. Consequently, the first supply
water heating device can use the heat of a high temperature heating
medium that just has been heated in the utilization side heat
exchanger; the room heating device can use the heat of the heating
medium cooled in the first supply water heating device by releasing
its heat into the room; and the second supply water heating device
can use the heat of the heating medium cooled by releasing its heat
into the room in the room heating device. Here, for example, when
the tap water is used as water to be used in the humidifier, the
temperature of the tap water is lower than that of the room air,
and so the tap water may be heated in the second supply water
heating device by using the heating medium cooled by releasing its
heat into the room in the room heating device. Further, in order to
efficiently humidify the ventilation air in the humidifier, it is
desirable that water is heated to as high a temperature as
possible. Therefore, the tap water may be heated in the first
supply water heating device to a high temperature by using the heat
of a high temperature heating medium that just has been heated in
the utilization side heat exchanger. Then, the heating medium used
in the first supply water heating device to heat water to be used
in the humidifier is first cooled by heating water to be used in
the humidifier, cooled by being used in the room heating device,
further cooled by being used in the second supply water heating
device to heat water to be used in the humidifier, and then
returned to the utilization side heat exchanger. In this way, in
this air conditioning system, by comprising the first and second
supply water heating devices, the heat of the heating medium that
just has been heated in the utilization side heat exchanger and the
heat of the heating medium cooled by being used in the room heating
device are used in order to heat water to be used in the
humidifier. Consequently, the temperature difference between the
inlet and the outlet of the utilization side heat exchanger can be
increased, therefore improving the COP of the heat source unit.
An air conditioning system according to a fifth aspect of the
present invention is the air conditioning system according to the
first aspect of the present invention, in which the supply water
heating device is connected to the refrigerant circuit such that
the refrigerant sent from the utilization side heat exchanger to an
expansion mechanism is supplied.
In this air conditioning system, the supply water heating device is
connected to the refrigerant circuit such that the refrigerant sent
from the utilization side heat exchanger to the expansion mechanism
is supplied. Therefore, the room heating device can use the heat of
a high temperature heating medium that just has been heated in the
utilization side heat exchanger, and the supply water heating
device can use the heat of the refrigerant cooled in the
utilization side heat exchanger by heating the heating medium that
is sent to the room heating device. Here, for example, when the tap
water is used as water to be used in the humidifier, the
temperature of the tap water is lower than that of the room air,
and so the tap water may be heated in the supply water heating
device by using the refrigerant cooled in the utilization side heat
exchanger by heating the heating medium that is sent to the room
heating device. Then, the refrigerant used in the supply water
heating device to heat water to be used in the humidifier is
further cooled by heating water, and then sent to the expansion
mechanism. In this way, in this air conditioning system, the
refrigerant cooled in the utilization side heat exchanger by
heating the heating medium is supplied to the supply water heating
device and used to heat water to be used in the humidifier.
Consequently, the temperature difference between the inlet and the
outlet of the utilization side heat exchanger can be increased,
therefore improving the COP of the heat source unit.
An air conditioning system according to a sixth aspect of the
present invention is the air conditioning system according to the
first aspect of the present invention, in which the supply water
heating device is connected to the refrigerant circuit such that
the refrigerant sent from the compressor to the utilization side
heat exchanger is supplied.
In this air conditioning system, the supply water heating device is
connected to the refrigerant circuit such that the refrigerant sent
from the compressor to the utilization side heat exchanger is
supplied. Consequently, the supply water heating device can use the
heat of the high temperature refrigerant that just has been
compressed in and discharged from the compressor, and the room
heating device can use the heat of the heating medium heated in the
supply water heating device by using the refrigerant cooled by
heating water. Here, in order to efficiently humidify the
ventilation air in the humidifier, it is desirable that water is
heated to as high a temperature as possible. Therefore, for
example, when the tap water whose temperature is lower than that of
the room air is used as water to be used in the humidifier, the tap
water may be heated in the supply water heating device to a high
temperature by using the heat of the refrigerant compressed in and
discharged from the compressor. Then, the refrigerant used in the
supply water heating device to heat water to be used in the
humidifier is cooled by heating water and then, in the utilization
side heat exchanger, the refrigerant heats the heating medium that
is sent to the room heating device. In this way, in this air
conditioning system, the refrigerant compressed in and discharged
from the compressor is supplied to the supply water heating device
and used to heat water to be used in the humidifier. Consequently,
it will be possible to increase the temperature difference between
the inlet and the outlet of the utilization side heat exchanger,
therefore improving the COP of the heat source unit.
An air conditioning system according to a seventh aspect of the
present invention is the air conditioning system according to the
first aspect of the present invention, in which the supply water
heating device includes a first supply water heating device and a
second supply water heating device. The first supply water heating
device is connected to the refrigerant circuit such that the
refrigerant sent from the compressor to the utilization side heat
exchanger is supplied. The second supply water heating device is
connected to the refrigerant circuit such that the refrigerant sent
from the utilization side heat exchanger to the expansion mechanism
is supplied.
In this air conditioning system, the first supply water heating
device is connected to the refrigerant circuit such that the
refrigerant sent from the compressor to the utilization side heat
exchanger is supplied, and the second supply water heating device
is connected to the refrigerant circuit such that the refrigerant
sent from the utilization side heat exchanger to the expansion
mechanism is supplied. In other words, connection to the
utilization side heat exchanger is made such that the refrigerant
compressed in and discharged from the compressor is supplied to the
first supply water heating device to heat water to be used in the
humidifier, cooled in the utilization side heat exchanger by
heating the heating medium that is sent to the room heating device,
and then supplied to the second supply water heating device.
Accordingly, the first supply water heating device can use the heat
of the high temperature refrigerant that just has been compressed
in and discharged from the compressor; the room heating device can
use the heat of the heating medium heated in the first supply water
heating device by the refrigerant cooled by being used to heat
water; and the second supply water heating device can use the heat
of the refrigerant cooled by heating the heating medium that is
sent to the room heating device. Here, for example, when the tap
water is used as water to be used in the humidifier, the
temperature of the tap water is lower than that of the room air,
and so the tap water may be heated in the second supply water
heating device by using the refrigerant cooled by heating the
heating medium that is sent to the room heating device. Further, in
order to efficiently humidify the ventilation air in the
humidifier, it is desirable that water is heated to as high a
temperature as possible. Therefore, the tap water may be heated in
the first supply water heating device to a high temperature by
using the heat of the high temperature refrigerant that just has
been compressed in and discharged from the compressor. Then, the
refrigerant used in the first supply water heating device to heat
water to be used in the humidifier is cooled by heating water to be
used in the humidifier, cooled by heating the heating medium that
is sent to the room heating device, further cooled by being used in
the second supply water heating device to heat water to be used in
the humidifier, and then sent to the expansion mechanism. In this
way, in this air conditioning system, by comprising the first and
second supply water heating devices, the heat of the heating medium
that just has been compressed in and discharged from the compressor
and the heat of the heating medium cooled by being used in the room
heating device are used in order to heat water to be used in the
humidifier. Consequently, the temperature difference between the
inlet and the outlet of the utilization side heat exchanger can be
increased, therefore improving the COP of the heat source unit.
An air conditioning system according to an eighth aspect of the
present invention is the air conditioning system according to the
first aspect of the present invention, in which the supply water
heating device includes a first supply water heating device and a
second supply water heating device. The first supply water heating
device is connected to the refrigerant circuit such that the
refrigerant sent from the compressor to the utilization side heat
exchanger is supplied. The second supply water heating device is
connected to the heating medium circuit. The heating medium circuit
is connected to the utilization side heat exchanger such that the
heating medium heated in the utilization side heat exchanger is
sequentially supplied to the room heating device and the second
supply water heating device.
In this air conditioning system, the first supply water heating
device is connected to the refrigerant circuit such that the
refrigerant sent from the compressor to the utilization side heat
exchanger is supplied; the second supply water heating device is
connected to the heating medium circuit; and the heating medium
circuit is connected to the utilization side heat exchanger such
that the heating medium heated in the utilization side heat
exchanger is sequentially supplied to the room heating device and
the second supply water heating device. Consequently, the first
supply water heating device can use the heat of the high
temperature refrigerant that just has been compressed in and
discharged from the compressor; the room heating device can use the
heat of the heating medium heated in the first supply water heating
device by the refrigerant cooled by being used to heat water; and
the second supply water heating device can use the heat of the
heating medium used in the room heating device. Here, for example,
when the tap water is used as water to be used in the humidifier,
the temperature of the tap water is lower than that of the room
air, and so the tap water may be heated in the second supply water
heating device by using the refrigerant cooled by heating the
heating medium that is sent to the room heating device. Further, in
order to efficiently humidify the ventilation air in the
humidifier, it is desirable that water is heated to as high a
temperature as possible. Therefore, the tap water may be heated in
the first supply water heating device to a high temperature by
using the heat of the high temperature refrigerant that just has
been compressed in and discharged from the compressor. Then, the
refrigerant used in the first supply water heating device to heat
water to be used in the humidifier is cooled by heating water to be
used in the humidifier, cooled by heating the heating medium that
is sent to the room heating device, further cooled by being used in
the second supply water heating device to heat water to be used in
the humidifier, and then sent to the expansion mechanism. In this
way, in this air conditioning system, by comprising the first and
second supply water heating devices, the heat of the refrigerant
that just has been compressed in and discharged from the compressor
and the heat of the heating medium cooled by being used in the room
heating device are used in order to heat water to be used in the
humidifier. Consequently, the temperature difference between the
inlet and the outlet of the utilization side heat exchanger can be
increased, therefore improving the COP of the heat source unit.
An air conditioning system according to a ninth aspect of the
present invention is the air conditioning system according to the
first aspect of the present invention, in which the supply water
heating device includes a first supply water heating device and a
second supply water heating device. The first supply water heating
device is connected to the heating medium circuit. The heating
medium circuit is connected to the utilization side heat exchanger
such that the heating medium heated in the utilization side heat
exchanger is sequentially supplied to the first supply water
heating device and the room heating device. The second supply water
heating device is connected to the refrigerant circuit such that
the refrigerant sent from the utilization side heat exchanger to
the expansion mechanism is supplied.
In this air conditioning system, the first supply water heating
device is connected to the heating medium circuit; the heating
medium circuit is connected to the utilization side heat exchanger
such that the heating medium heated in the utilization side heat
exchanger is sequentially supplied to the first supply water
heating device and the room heating device; and the second supply
water heating device is connected to the refrigerant circuit such
that the refrigerant sent from the utilization side heat exchanger
to the expansion mechanism is supplied. Consequently, the first
supply water heating device can use the heat of a high temperature
heating medium that just has been heated in the utilization side
heat exchanger; the room heating device can use the heat of the
heating medium cooled by releasing its heat into the room in the
first supply water heating device; and the second supply water
heating device can use the heat of the refrigerant cooled by
heating the heating medium that is sent to the first supply water
heating device and the room heating device. Here, for example, when
the tap water is used as water to be used in the humidifier, the
temperature of the tap water is lower than that of the room air,
and so the tap water may be heated in the second supply water
heating device by using the refrigerant cooled by heating the
heating medium that is sent to the first supply water heating
device and the room heating device. Further, in order to
efficiently humidify the ventilation air in the humidifier, it is
desirable that water is heated to as high a temperature as
possible. Therefore, the tap water may be heated in the first
supply water heating device to a high temperature by using the heat
of a high temperature heating medium that just has been heated in
the utilization side heat exchanger. Then, the heating medium used
in the first supply water heating device to heat water to be used
in the humidifier is cooled by heating water to be used in the
humidifier, and used in the room heating device. Then, the heating
medium is returned to the utilization side heat exchanger, after
the refrigerant cooled by heating the heating medium that is sent
to the first supply water heating device and the room heating
device is cooled by being used in the second supply water heating
device to heat water to be used in the humidifier. In this way, in
this air conditioning system, by comprising the first and second
supply water heating devices, the heat of the heating medium that
just has been heated in the utilization side heat exchanger, and
the heat of the refrigerant cooled in the utilization side heat
exchanger by heating the heating medium that is sent to the first
supply water heating device and the room heating device are used in
order to heat water to be used in the humidifier. Consequently, the
temperature difference between the inlet and the outlet of the
utilization side heat exchanger can be increased, therefore
improving the COP of the heat source unit.
An air conditioning system according to a tenth aspect of the
present invention is the air conditioning system according to any
one of the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, in
which the humidifier includes a moisture permeable film that allows
moisture to permeate therethrough, and water heated in the supply
water heating device is caused to contact with the ventilation air
via the moisture permeable film, thereby enabling to humidify the
ventilation air.
Since this air conditioning system is provided with the humidifier
that uses the moisture permeable film, it is possible to humidify
the ventilation air by supplying water heated in the supply water
heating device to the moisture permeable film and by causing this
water to contact with the ventilation air via the moisture
permeable film.
An air conditioning system according to an eleventh aspect of the
present invention is the air conditioning system according to any
one of the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, in
which the heating medium that flows through the heating medium
circuit is water. The humidifier is connected to the heating medium
circuit, provided with the moisture permeable film that allows
moisture to permeate therethrough, and capable of both heating and
humidifying the ventilation air by causing water as the heating
medium that circulates in the heating medium circuit to contact
with the ventilation air via the moisture permeable film.
In this air conditioning system, the humidifier that uses the
moisture permeable film can both heat and humidify the ventilation
air by causing water as the heating medium that circulates in the
heating medium circuit to contact with the ventilation air via the
moisture permeable film. Accordingly, the humidifier comprises a
function of the supply water heating device. In this way, for
example, a water supply pipe for supplying water to the humidifier
can be simplified, and this will enable simplification of the
configuration of the air conditioning system.
An air conditioning system according to a twelfth aspect of the
present invention is the air conditioning system according to the
eleventh aspect of the present invention, in which the heating
medium circuit comprises a first divided heating medium circuit
that circulates the heating medium between the humidifier and the
utilization side heat exchanger, and a second divided heating
medium circuit that circulates the heating medium between the room
heating device and the utilization side heat exchanger.
In this air conditioning system, the first divided heating medium
circuit to which the humidifier is connected is a system different
from the second divided heating medium circuit to which the room
heating device is connected, so that it is possible to make the
second divided heating medium circuit as a closed circulation
circuit.
An air conditioning system according to a thirteenth aspect of the
present invention is the air conditioning system according to any
one of the first to the twelfth aspects of the present invention,
in which the refrigerant that flows through the refrigerant circuit
is CO.sub.2.
In this air conditioning system, CO.sub.2 is used as the
refrigerant that flows through the vapor compression type
refrigerant circuit in the heat source unit, so that the
refrigerant temperature on the discharge side of the compressor can
be increased, and the temperature level that can be used in the
room heating device can be increased. This will achieve comfortable
room heating.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning system
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a temperature-entropy diagram of the operation of the air
conditioning system.
FIG. 3 is a pressure-enthalpy diagram of the operation of the air
conditioning system.
FIG. 4 is a psychrometric chart of the operation of the air
conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning system
of a comparative example.
FIG. 6 is a psychrometric chart of the operation of the air
conditioning system of a comparative example.
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning system
according to a modified example 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning system
according to the modified example 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning system
according to a modified example 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning system
according to the modified example 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning system
according to the modified example 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning system
according to a modified example 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning system
according to the modified example 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning system
according to a modified example 4 of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning system
according to a modified example 5 of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning system
according to a modified example 6 of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning system
according to the modified example 6 of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Selected embodiments of an air conditioning system according to the
present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to
the drawings.
(1) Configuration of the Air Conditioning System
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an air conditioning system
101 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air
conditioning system 101 is a system capable of heating the room by
operating a vapor compression type refrigerating cycle.
The air conditioning system 101 mainly comprises a heat source unit
102, an air supply device 103, a heating medium circuit 104, and a
humidifier 182.
<Heat Source Unit>
The heat source unit 102 is installed outside, for example, is
provided with a vapor compression type refrigerant circuit 120 that
mainly includes a compressor 121, a heating medium--refrigerant
heat exchanger 122 as a utilization side heat exchanger, an
expansion mechanism 123, and a heat source side heat exchanger 124,
and is capable of heating, in the heating medium--refrigerant heat
exchanger 122, a heating medium that is used to heat the room in a
building U.
The compressor 121 is a compressor that is rotatably driven by a
drive mechanism such as an electric motor so as to compress a low
pressure refrigerant and discharge the refrigerant as the high
temperature and high pressure refrigerant.
The expansion mechanism 123 is an electric expansion valve that
decompresses the refrigerant that flows out from the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122.
The heat source side heat exchanger 124 is a heat exchanger that
evaporates the refrigerant decompressed by the expansion mechanism
123 by exchanging heat between the refrigerant and water or outdoor
air as a heat source.
The heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 is a heat
exchanger that heats the heating medium by exchanging heat between
the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant compressed by
and discharged from the compressor 121 and the heating medium that
circulates in the heating medium circuit 104. In addition, in the
present embodiment, the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger
122 has a passage through which the heating medium and the
refrigerant flow such that the heating medium and the refrigerant
are in counter current flow.
Here, as an operating refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit 120 in
the heat source unit 102, it is possible to use HCFC refrigerant,
HFC refrigerant, HC refrigerant, and CO.sub.2, however, in the
present embodiment, CO.sub.2 having a low critical temperature is
used, and it is possible to achieve a supercritical refrigerating
cycle, in which the pressure of the refrigerant on the discharge
side of the compressor 121 is equal to or higher than the critical
pressure of the refrigerant. In such a supercritical refrigerating
cycle that uses CO.sub.2 as the refrigerant, it is possible to
increase the refrigerant temperature on the discharge side of the
compressor 121, that is, the refrigerant temperature at a
refrigerant inlet of the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger
122, because of an increase in the pressure of the refrigerant on
the discharge side of the compressor 121. In addition, refrigerant
that flows into the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122
is compressed above its critical pressure by the compressor 121, so
that the refrigerant in the supercritical state heats the heating
medium in the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122.
<Air Supply Device>
The air supply device 103 is a device that supplies the outdoor air
(shown as OA in FIG. 1) to a room in the building U, and, in the
present embodiment, mainly includes a supply air outlet (not shown)
that supplies the outdoor air from the outside to the room as the
ventilation air, an exhaust air outlet (now shown) that exhausts
the room air (shown as RA in FIG. 1) from the room to the outside,
and an exhaust fan 131 which is provided to the exhaust air outlet
and which exhausts a portion of the room air as the exhaust air
(shown as EA in FIG. 1) from the room to the outside. The room can
be ventilated by the operation of the exhaust fan 131. Note that,
in the present embodiment, the exhaust fan 131 is used to ventilate
the room, however, the room may be ventilated by, for example,
providing a supply air fan to the supply air outlet, or by
providing both the exhaust fan and the supply air fan to the supply
air outlet.
<Humidifier>
The humidifier 182 is placed in the room for example, and is a
water supply type humidifier that humidifies the ventilation air
that is supplied to the room by the air supply device 103. In this
embodiment, the humidifier 182 is a humidifier that includes a
spray nozzle 182a for spraying water that is supplied to the
ventilation air through a water supply pipe 181. The tap water and
the like may be used as water that is supplied to the humidifier
182 through the water supply pipe 181. Note that any humidifier
will suffice, as long as the humidifier causes water to directly
contact with the ventilation air, so that an air washer may be used
instead of a spray nozzle.
<Heating Medium Circuit>
The heating medium circuit 104 includes a radiator 141, a fan
convector 142, and a floor heating device 143 as room heating
devices that release the heat of the heating medium heated in the
heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 into the room, an
outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144 that heats the
ventilation air that is supplied to the room by the air supply
device 103 with the heat of the heating medium heated in the
heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122, and a supply water
heating device 191 that heats water that is supplied to the
humidifier 182 through the water supply pipe 181. The heating
medium circuit 104 is a circuit that circulates the heating medium
between the radiator 141, the fan convector 142, the floor heating
device 143, the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144 and
the supply water heating device 191, and the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122.
The radiator 141 is placed in the room for example, and is a device
that mainly releases the heat of the heating medium into the room
by radiation heat transfer. In the present embodiment, the radiator
141 includes a radiator heat exchanger 141a through which the
heating medium passes and exchanges its heat with surrounding room
air (here, the room air that just has been heat-exchanged in the
radiator heat exchanger 141a is referred to as SA1 shown in FIG.
1).
The fan convector 142 is placed in the room for example, and is a
device that mainly releases the heat of the heating medium into the
room by forced convection heat transfer. In the present embodiment,
the fan convector 142 includes a convector heat exchanger 142a
through which the heating medium passes and exchanges its heat with
surrounding air, and a convector fan 142b which supplies the room
air to the convector heat exchanger 142a and supplies the indoor
air having been heat-exchanged in the convector heat exchanger 142a
to the room as the supply air (shown as SA1' in FIG. 1).
The floor heating device 143 is placed under the floor of the
building U for example, and is a device that mainly includes a
floor heating pipe 143a that releases the heat of the heating
medium into the room via a heat transfer panel provided on a floor
surface.
The outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144 is placed
outside for example, and is a device that mainly includes an
outdoor air heat exchanger 144a that heats the ventilation air that
is supplied to the room by the air supply device 103 with the heat
of the heating medium (here, the supply air that is supplied to the
room after being heat-exchanged in the outdoor air heat exchanger
144a is referred to as SA3 shown in FIG. 1).
The supply water heating device 191 is placed outside, for example,
and is a device that mainly includes a supply water heat exchanger
191a that heats water that is supplied to the humidifier 182
through the water supply pipe 181 with the heat of the heating
medium.
In the present embodiment, the heating medium circuit 104 is
connected to the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122
such that the heating medium heated in the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 is sequentially supplied to
the radiator heat exchanger 141a in the radiator 141, the convector
heat exchanger 142a of the fan convector 142, the floor heating
pipe 143a of the floor heating device 143, the outdoor air heat
exchanger 144a of the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device
144, and then the supply water heat exchanger 191a of the supply
water heating device 191. More specifically, the heating medium
circuit 104 constitutes a single heating medium circuit connected
in series such that the heating medium heated in the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 by exchanging its heat with
the refrigerant passes from a heating medium outlet of the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 sequentially through the
radiator heat exchanger 141a, the convector heat exchanger 142a,
the floor heating pipe 143a, the outdoor air heat exchanger 144a,
and then the supply water heat exchanger 191a, and returns to the
heating medium inlet of the heating medium--refrigerant heat
exchanger 122 by a heating medium circulating pump 145 connected to
the heating medium outlet of the supply water heat exchanger 191a.
In other words, the heating medium circuit 104 will be connected in
order from the radiator heat exchanger 141a that requires the
highest temperature heating medium to the supply water heat
exchanger 191a that can use even the lowest temperature heating
medium.
The heating medium circulating pump 145 is connected between the
heating medium outlet of the supply water heat exchanger 191a and
the heating medium inlet of the heating medium--refrigerant heat
exchanger 122, and is a pump that is rotatably driven by a drive
mechanism such as an electric motor so as to circulate the heating
medium between the radiator heat exchanger 141a, the convector heat
exchanger 142a, the floor heating pipe 143a, the outdoor air heat
exchanger 144a and the supply water heat exchanger 191a, and the
heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122.
Here, as the heating medium that flows through the heating medium
circuit 104, water and brine may be used. When water is used as the
heating medium, it will be advantageous in that inexpensive devices
and pipes can be used to constitute the heating medium circuit 104.
In addition, when brine is used as the heating medium, it is
preferable to use brine that does not freeze below 0 degrees C.
even during the low outdoor air temperature period, in order to
prevent the heating medium from freezing in the outdoor air heating
heat exchanging device 144 (specifically, in the outdoor air heat
exchanger 144a). This type of brine includes, for example, calcium
chloride aqueous solution, sodium chloride aqueous solution,
magnesium chloride aqueous solution, etc.
(2) Operation of the Air Conditioning System
Next, the operation of the air conditioning system 101 of this
embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Here,
FIG. 2 is a temperature-entropy diagram of the operation of the air
conditioning system 101. FIG. 3 is a pressure-enthalpy diagram of
the operation of the air conditioning system 101. FIG. 4 is a
psychrometric chart of the operation of the air conditioning system
101.
First, the heating medium circulating pump 145 is started to
circulate the heating medium in the heating medium circuit 104.
Then, the compressor 121 of the heat source unit 102 will be
started. Then, the low pressure refrigerant sucked into the
compressor 121 (see dot Rc shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) will be
compressed by the compressor 121 and discharged therefrom as the
high temperature and high pressure refrigerant (see dot Ri shown in
FIGS. 1 to 3). This high temperature and high pressure refrigerant
will flow into the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122
and will heat the heating medium, and the refrigerant itself will
be cooled and become a low temperature and high pressure
refrigerant (see dot Ro4 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3). The refrigerant
cooled in the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 by
heating the heating medium will be decompressed by the expansion
mechanism 123 and become a low temperature and low pressure
refrigerant in a vapor-liquid two-phase state (see dot Re4 in FIGS.
1 to 3). This refrigerant in a vapor-liquid two-phase state will be
heated in the heat source side heat exchanger 124 by a heat source
such as water or outdoor air, and will evaporate into a low
temperature and low pressure gas refrigerant (see dot Rc in FIGS. 1
to 3). Then, this low temperature and low pressure gas refrigerant
will be again sucked into the compressor 121.
Here, the heating medium that circulates in the heating medium
circuit 104 flows into the heating medium--refrigerant heat
exchanger 122 from the heating medium inlet (see dot Wi4 in FIGS.
1, 2, and 4), and will be heated in the heating medium--refrigerant
heat exchanger 122 by exchanging its heat with the high temperature
and high pressure refrigerant compressed in and discharged from the
compressor 121 (see dot Wo shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4). Then, the
high temperature heating medium heated in the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 will flow into the radiator
heat exchanger 141a of the radiator 141, release the heat of the
heating medium into the room (specifically, the room air
surrounding the radiator heat exchanger 141a will be heated), and
the heating medium itself will be cooled and the temperature
thereof will decrease (for example, the temperature will decrease
from about 70 degrees C. to about 65 degrees C. as shown in FIG.
2). At this time, the room air (see RA shown in FIG. 4) will be
heated in the radiator heat exchanger 141a to a state of dot SA1
shown in FIG. 4).
Next, the heating medium that flowed out from the radiator heat
exchanger 141a will flow into the convector heat exchanger 142a of
the fan convector 142, and release the heat of the heating medium
into the room (specifically, the room air supplied by the convector
fan 142b will be heated), and the heating medium itself will be
cooled and the temperature thereof will decrease (for example, the
temperature will decrease from about 65 degrees C. to about 55
degrees C. as shown in FIG. 2). At this time, the room air (see
arrows RA shown in FIG. 1) becomes a supply air SA1' by the
convector heat exchanger 142a (see FIG. 1) and will be supplied to
the room.
Next, the heating medium that flowed out from the convector heat
exchanger 142a will flow into the floor heating pipe 143a of the
floor heating device 143, and release the heat of the heating
medium into the room (specifically, a floor surface will be heated
by the floor heating pipe 143a), and the heating medium itself will
be cooled and the temperature thereof will decrease (for example,
the temperature will decrease from about 55 degrees C. to about 40
degrees C. as shown in FIG. 2).
Next, the heating medium that flowed out from the floor heating
pipe 143a will flow into the outdoor air heat exchanger 144a of the
outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144, and will heat
ventilation air that is supplied to the room by the air supply
device 103 with the heat of the heating medium. The heating medium
itself will be cooled and the temperature thereof will be low (for
example, the temperature will drop from about 40 degrees C. to
about 15 degrees C. as shown in FIG. 2). At this time, the
ventilation air (see dot OA shown in FIG. 4, about -10 degrees C.)
will be heated to a state of dot SA3 shown in FIG. 4 (about 25
degrees C. in FIG. 4) by the outdoor air heat exchanger 144a.
Next, the heating medium that flowed out from the outdoor air
heating heat exchanging device 144 flows into the supply water heat
exchanger 191a of the supply water heating device 191 and heats
water that is supplied to the humidifier 182 through the water
supply pipe 181. The heating medium itself is cooled and the
temperature thereof decreases (for example, the temperature
decreases from about 15 degrees C. to about 5 degrees C. as shown
in FIG. 2).
Then, the heating medium that flowed out from the supply water heat
exchanger 191a again flows into the heating medium--refrigerant
heat exchanger 122 through the heating medium circulating pump 145
(see dot Wi4 in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4).
On the other hand, the temperature of the room air RA is maintained
at about 20 degrees C. (see dot RA shown in FIG. 4) by the heating
operation using the radiator 141, the fan convector 142, and the
floor heating device 143.
In this case, when the ventilation air (shown as SA3 in FIG. 1)
heated in the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144 by
exchanging heat with the heating medium is to be supplied to the
room, the ventilation air is introduced into the humidifier 182,
humidified with water sprayed from the spray nozzle 182a of the
humidifier 182, and then supplied to the room (shown as SA4 in FIG.
1). Consequently, the air conditioning system 101 of this
embodiment can humidify the ventilation air, so that even when the
absolute humidity of the ventilation air is lower than the absolute
humidity of the room air, it is possible to prevent the room from
becoming dry due to the supply of ventilation air to the room.
Incidentally, due to evaporation of water sprayed from the spray
nozzle 182a, the temperature of the ventilation air humidified by
the humidifier 182 will be lower than the temperature of the
ventilation air heated in the outdoor air heating heat exchanging
device 144. However, in the air conditioning system 101 of this
embodiment, the ventilation air (shown as SA3 in FIG. 4) is heated
by the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144 to a
temperature (to about 25 degrees C. in FIG. 4) higher than the
temperature (about 20 degrees C. in FIG. 4) of the room air. In
this way, even when the temperature of the ventilation air
decreases due to evaporation of water in the humidifier 182, the
temperature of the ventilation air (shown as SA4 in FIG. 4) that is
supplied to the room will be close to the temperature (about 20
degrees C. in FIG. 4) of the room air (shown as RA in FIG. 4).
Further, the absolute humidity of the ventilation air SA4 is also
almost equal to the absolute humidity of the room air RA (in FIG.
4, it is equivalent to relative humidity 50%). Accordingly, in the
air conditioning system 101 of this embodiment, the ventilation air
having a low temperature and a low humidity compared to the room
air is heated and humidified respectively by the outdoor air
heating heat exchanging device 144 and the humidifier 182 so that
the ventilation air is heated and humidified to the same
temperature and humidity conditions of the room air, and after
which the ventilation air can be supplied to the room. As a result,
it is possible to enhance the comfort of the room.
(3) Characteristics of the Air Conditioning System
The air conditioning system 101 of this embodiment has the
following characteristics.
(A)
An air conditioning system 901 as shown in FIG. 5 may be provided
as a comparative example of the air conditioning system 101 of this
embodiment. The air conditioning system 901 of the comparative
example comprises, as is the case with the air conditioning system
101, the heat source unit 102, the air supply device 103, and a
heating medium circuit 904 having the radiator 141, the fan
convector 142, the heating medium circulating pump 145, and the
outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144. This type of air
conditioning system 901 does not include the humidifier 182, so
that the ventilation air (shown as OA in FIG. 5) will be supplied
to the room simply after being heated by the outdoor air heating
heat exchanging device 144, when heating the room. Consequently,
the temperature of the ventilation air (shown as SA3 in FIG. 6)
will be about the same as the temperature (about 20 degrees C. in
FIG. 6) of the room air (shown as RA in FIG. 6), and it is possible
to prevent a cold draft due to the ventilation air that is supplied
to the room for ventilation in the room. However, the absolute
humidity of the ventilation air is extremely low compared to the
absolute humidity of the room air (in FIG. 6, it is equivalent to
relative humidity 50%), so that when the ventilation air is mixed
with the room air in the room, the humidity of the room air will
decrease.
However, the air conditioning system 101 of this embodiment
comprises the supply water heating device 191 that heats water that
is used in the water supply type humidifier 182, so that it is
possible to efficiently humidify the ventilation air by using
preheated water and supply this ventilation air to the room, when
heating the room. Accordingly, it will be possible to prevent a
decrease in the humidity in the room caused by the ventilation air
that is supplied to the room for ventilation in the room, therefore
enhancing the comfort of the room.
(B)
In the air conditioning system 901 of the comparative example, the
heating medium circuit 904 does not include the supply water
heating device 191. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the
heating medium heated by exchanging its heat with the refrigerant
in the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 will change
from a state of dot Wo to a state of dots Wi3, and the heating
medium will circulate in the heating medium circuit 904 so as to be
returned to the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122.
Along with this, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the refrigerant will
circulate in the refrigerant circuit 120 such that the refrigerant
changes in order from a state of dot Rc on a suction side of the
compressor 121 to a state of dot Ri that corresponds to dot Wo, to
a state of dot Ro3 that corresponds to dot Wi3, and then to a state
of dot Re3, and again is sucked into the compressor 121. Here, as
shown in FIG. 3, the COP (based on the evaporation side) of the
heat source unit 102 of the air conditioning system 901 of the
comparative example is a value obtained by dividing the enthalpy
difference .DELTA.h3 on the evaporation side in the freezing cycle
of dot Rc-->dot Ri-->dot Ro3-->dot Re3-->dot Rc by the
enthalpy difference .DELTA.hc that corresponds to the power
consumption of the compressor 121 (=.DELTA.h3/.DELTA.hc).
On the other hand, in air conditioning system 101 of this
embodiment, the supply water heating device 191 is connected to the
heating medium circuit 104, and the heating medium circuit 104 is
connected to the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122
such that the heating medium heated in the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 is supplied to the supply
water heating device 191 after being used in the radiator 141, the
fan convector 142, the floor heating device 143, and the outdoor
air heating heat exchanging device 144, so that the heating medium
heated in the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 by
exchanging heat with the refrigerant will circulate in the heating
medium circuit 104 such that the heating medium changes from a
state of dot Wo to a state of dot Wi4 and again is returned to the
heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122, as shown in FIGS.
1, 2, and 3. Along with this, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the
refrigerant will circulate in the refrigerant circuit 120 such that
the refrigerant changes in order from a state of dot Rc on the
suction side of the compressor 121 to a state of dot Ri that
corresponds to dot Wo, to a state of dot Ro4 that corresponds to
dot Wi4, and then to a state of Re4, and again is sucked into the
compressor 121. Accordingly, the radiator 141, the fan convector
142, and the floor heating device 143 can use the heat of a high
temperature heating medium that just has been heated in heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122, and the outdoor air heating
heat exchanging device 144 can use the heat of the heating medium
cooled by releasing its heat into the room in the radiator 141, the
fan convector 142, and the floor heating device 143 (see dot Wi2 in
FIGS. 1 and 2). Further, the supply water heating device 191 can
use the heat of the heating medium cooled by releasing its heat
into the room in the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144
(see dot Wi3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Here, for example, when the
tap water is used as water to be used in the humidifier 182, the
temperature of the tap water is lower than that of the room air
(shown as RA in FIG. 1), and so the tap water may be heated in the
supply water heating device 191 by using the heating medium cooled
by releasing its heat into the room in the radiator 141, the fan
convector 142, the floor heating device 143, and the outdoor air
heating heat exchanging device 144. Then, the heating medium used
in the supply water heating device 191 to heat water to be used in
the humidifier 182 is further cooled by heating water (see dot Wi4
in FIGS. 1 and 2), and then returned to the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122. In this way, in this air
conditioning system 101, the heating medium cooled by releasing its
heat in the radiator 141, the fan convector 142, the floor heating
device 143 and the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144
is supplied to the supply water heating device 191 in order to heat
water to be used in the humidifier 182. Consequently, it is
possible to increase the temperature difference between the inlet
and the outlet of the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger
122 (in other words, the difference between the temperature of the
heating medium in a state of dot Wo and the temperature of the
heating medium in a state of dot Wi4), compared to the air
conditioning system 901 of the comparative example. Accordingly, as
shown in FIG. 3, the COP (based on the evaporation side) of the
heat source unit 102 in the air conditioning system 101 of this
embodiment is a value obtained by dividing the enthalpy difference
.DELTA.h4 on the evaporation side in the refrigerating cycle of dot
Rc-->dot Ri-->dot Ro4-->dot Re4-->dot Rc by the
enthalpy difference .DELTA.hc that corresponds to the power
consumption of the compressor 121 (=.DELTA.h4/.DELTA.hc).
Accordingly, the COP is improved compared to the air conditioning
system 901 that does not comprise the supply water heating device
191 of the comparative example. Note that in the air conditioning
system 901 of the comparative example, an air conditioning system
that does not include the outdoor air heating heat exchanging
device 144 may be conceivable, however, also in such a case, it is
possible to improve the COP by providing the supply water heating
device 191.
(C)
The air conditioning system 101 of this embodiment uses CO.sub.2 as
the refrigerant that flows through the vapor compression type
refrigerant circuit 120 of the heat source unit 102. Accordingly,
the refrigerant temperature on the discharge side of the compressor
121 can be increased, and the temperature level that can be used in
the radiator 141, the fan convector 142, the floor heating device
143, the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144, and the
supply water heating device 191 can be increased. This will achieve
comfortable room heating.
(4) Modified Example 1
In the above described air conditioning system 101, the supply
water heating device 191 is connected to the heating medium circuit
104 such that the heating medium whose temperature is the lowest as
a result of releasing its heat in the radiator 141, the fan
convector 142, the floor heating device 143 and the outdoor air
heating heat exchanging device 144 is supplied, however, the supply
water heating device 191 may be connected to the heating medium
circuit 104 such that a high temperature heating medium that just
has been heated in the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger
122 is supplied.
For example, in the air conditioning system 101 that does not
include the fan convector 142 as shown in FIG. 7, the heating
medium circuit 104 may be connected to the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 such that the heating medium
heated in the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 is
first supplied to the supply water heating device 191, and then
supplied to the radiator 141, the floor heating device 143, and the
outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144. Accordingly, the
supply water heating device 191 can use the heat of a high
temperature heating medium that just has been heated in the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122, and the radiator 141, the
floor heating device 143, and the outdoor air heating heat
exchanging device 144 can use the heat of the heating medium cooled
by releasing its heat into the water by the supply water heating
device 191. Here, in order to efficiently humidify the ventilation
air in the humidifier 182, it is desirable that water is heated to
as high a temperature as possible. For example, when the tap water
whose temperature is lower than that of the room air is used as
water to be used in the humidifier 182, this tap water may be
heated in the supply water heating device 191 to a high temperature
by using the heat of a high temperature heating medium that just
has been heated in the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger
122. The heating medium used in the supply water heating device 191
to heat water to be used in the humidifier 182 is cooled by heating
water, used in the radiator 141, the floor heating device 143, and
the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144, and then
returned to the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122. In
this way, in this air conditioning system 101, a high temperature
heating medium that just has been heated in the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 is supplied to the supply
water heating device 191 in order to heat water to be used in the
humidifier 182. Consequently, it will be possible to increase the
temperature difference between the inlet and the outlet of the
heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122, therefore improving
the COP of the heat source unit.
In addition, it is possible to use both the heat of the heating
medium whose temperature is the lowest as a result of releasing its
heat in the radiator 141, the fan convector 142, the floor heating
device 143, and the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144,
and the heat of a high temperature heating medium that just has
been heated in the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger
122.
For example, in the air conditioning system 101 that does not
include the fan convector 142 as shown in FIG. 8, the heating
medium circuit 104 may be connected to the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 such that the heating medium
heated in the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 is
sequentially supplied to a first supply water heating device 192,
the radiator 141, the floor heating device 143, the outdoor air
heating heat exchanging device 144, and a second supply water
heating device 193. Accordingly, the first supply water heating
device 192 can use the heat of a high temperature heating medium
that just has been heated in heating medium--refrigerant heat
exchanger 122; the radiator 141, the floor heating device 143 and
the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144 can use the heat
of the heating medium cooled by releasing its heat into the room in
the first supply water heating device 192; and the second supply
water heating device 193 can use the heat of the heating medium
cooled by releasing its heat into the room in the radiator 141, the
floor heating device 143, and the outdoor air heating heat
exchanging device 144. Here, for example, when the tap water is
used as water to be used in the humidifier 182, the temperature of
the tap water is lower than that of the room air, and so the tap
water may be heated in the second supply water heating device 193
by using the heating medium cooled by releasing its heat into the
room in the radiator 141, the floor heating device 143, and the
outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144. Further, in order
to efficiently humidify the ventilation air in the humidifier 182,
it is desirable that water is heated to as high a temperature as
possible. Therefore, the tap water may be heated in the first
supply water heating device 192 to a high temperature by using the
heat of a high temperature heating medium that just has been heated
in the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122. The heating
medium used in the first supply water heating device 192 to heat
water to be used in the humidifier 182 is cooled by heating water
to be used in the humidifier 182, cooled by being used in the
radiator 141, the floor heating device 143, and the outdoor air
heating heat exchanging device 144, further cooled by being used in
the second supply water heating device 193 to heat water to be used
in the humidifier 182, and then returned the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122. In this way, in this air
conditioning system 101, by comprising the first and second supply
water heating devices 192, 193, the heat of the heating medium that
just has been heated in heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger
122, and the heat of the heating medium cooled by being used in the
radiator 141, the floor heating device 143, and the outdoor air
heating heat exchanging device 144 are used in order to heat water
to be used in the humidifier 182. Consequently, the temperature
difference between the inlet and the outlet of the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 can be increased, therefore
improving the COP of the heat source unit.
(5) Modified Example 2
In the above described air conditioning system 101, the supply
water heating device 191 (or the first and second supply water
heating devices 192, 193, when two heat exchangers are disposed) is
connected to the heating medium circuit 104 and configured so as to
heat water to be supplied to the humidifier 182 with the heat of
the heating medium. However, the supply water heating device 191
(or the first and second supply water heating devices 192, 193,
when two heat exchangers are disposed) may be connected to the
refrigerant circuit 120.
For example, in the air conditioning system 101 that does not
include the fan convector 142 as show in FIG. 9, the supply water
heating device 191 may be connected to the refrigerant circuit 120
such that the refrigerant sent from the heating medium--refrigerant
heat exchanger 122 to the expansion mechanism 123 is supplied. Also
in this case, as in the air conditioning system 101 shown in FIG.
1, the radiator 141, the floor heating device 143, and the outdoor
air heating heat exchanging device 144 can use the heat of a high
temperature heating medium that just has been heated in heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122, and the supply water
heating device 191 can use the heat of the refrigerant cooled in
the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 by heating the
heating medium that is sent to the radiator 141, the floor heating
device 143, and the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device
144.
In addition, in the air conditioning system 101 that does not
include the fan convector 142 as shown in FIG. 10, the supply water
heating device 191 may be connected to the refrigerant circuit 120
such that the refrigerant sent from the compressor 121 to the
heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 is supplied. Also in
this case, as in the air conditioning system 101 shown in FIG. 7,
the supply water heating device 191 can use the heat of the high
temperature refrigerant that just has been compressed in and
discharged from the compressor 121, and the radiator 141, the floor
heating device 143, and the outdoor air heating heat exchanging
device 144 can use the heat of the heating medium heated in the
supply water heating device 191 by the refrigerant cooled by
heating water.
Further, in the air conditioning system 101 that does not include
the fan convector 142 as shown in FIG. 11, the first supply water
heating device 192 may be connected to the refrigerant circuit 120
such that the refrigerant sent from the compressor 121 to the
heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 is supplied, and the
second supply water heating device 193 may be connected to the
refrigerant circuit 120 such that the refrigerant sent from the
heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 to the expansion
mechanism 123 is supplied. Also in this case, the first supply
water heating device 192 can use the heat of the high temperature
refrigerant that just as been compressed in and discharged from the
compressor 121; the radiator 141, the floor heating device 143, and
the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144 can use the heat
of the heating medium heated in the first supply water heating
device 192 by the refrigerant cooled by being used to heat water;
and the second supply water heating device 193 can use the heat of
the refrigerant cooled by heating the heating medium that is sent
to the radiator 141, the floor heating device 143, and the outdoor
air heating heat exchanging device 144.
Also in these air conditioning systems, by comprising the supply
water heating device 191 (or the first and second supply water
heating devices 192, 193, when two heat exchangers are disposed),
the heat of the high temperature refrigerant that just has been
compressed in and discharged from the compressor 121, and the heat
of the refrigerant cooled by being used to heat the heating medium
that is sent to the radiator 141, the floor heating device 143, and
the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144 are used in
order to heat water to be used in the humidifier 182. Consequently,
it will be possible to increase the temperature difference between
the inlet and the outlet of the heating medium--refrigerant heat
exchanger 122, therefore improving the COP of the heat source unit
102.
(6) Modified Example 3
A description was given of the configuration of the air
conditioning system 101 shown in FIGS. 8 and 11 of the above
described modified examples 1 and 2 in which both the first and
second supply water heating devices 192, 193 are connected to
either one of the heating medium circuit 104 and the refrigerant
circuit 120. However, it is not limited thereto, and either one of
the first and second supply water heating devices 192, 193 may be
connected to the heating medium circuit 104, and the other one may
be connected to the refrigerant circuit 120.
For example, in the air conditioning system 101 that does not
include the fan convector 142 as shown in FIG. 12, the first supply
water heating device 192 may be connected to the refrigerant
circuit 120 such that the refrigerant sent from the compressor 121
to the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 is supplied;
the second supply water heating device 193 may be connected to the
heating medium circuit 104; and the heating medium circuit 104 may
be connected to the heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122
such that the heating medium heated in the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 is sequentially supplied to
the radiator 141, the floor heating device 143, the outdoor air
heating heat exchanging device 144, and the second supply water
heating device 193. Even in this case, the first supply water
heating device 192 can use the heat of the high temperature
refrigerant that just has been compressed in and discharged from
the compressor 121; the radiator 141, the floor heating device 143,
and the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144 can use the
heat of the heating medium heated in the first supply water heating
device 192 by the refrigerant cooled by being used to heat water;
and the second supply water heating device 193 can use the heat of
the heating medium used in the radiator 141, the floor heating
device 143, and the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device
144.
In addition, in the air conditioning system 101 that does not
include the fan convector 142 as shown in FIG. 13, the first supply
water heating device 192 may be connected to the heating medium
circuit 104; the heating medium circuit 104 may be connected to the
heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 such that the
heating medium heated in the heating medium--refrigerant heat
exchanger 122 is sequentially supplied to the first supply water
heating device 192, the radiator 141, the floor heating device 143,
and the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144; and the
second supply water heating device 193 may be connected to the
refrigerant circuit 120 such that the refrigerant sent from the
heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122 to the expansion
mechanism 123 is supplied. Even in this case, the first supply
water heating device 192 can use the heat of a high temperature
heating medium that just has been heated in heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122; the radiator 141, floor
heating device 143 and the outdoor air heating heat exchanging
device 144 can use the heat of the heating medium cooled by
releasing its heat into the room in the first supply water heating
device 192; and the second supply water heating device 193 can use
the heat of the refrigerant cooled by heating the heating medium
that is sent to the first supply water heating device 192, the
radiator 141, the floor heating device 143, and the outdoor air
heating heat exchanging device 144.
Also in these air conditioning systems, by comprising the first and
second supply water heating devices 192, 193, the heat of the
heating medium that just has been compressed in and discharged from
the compressor 121, and the heat of the heating medium cooled by
being used in the radiator 141, the floor heating device 143, and
the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144 are used in
order to heat water to be used in the humidifier 182. Consequently,
it will be possible to increase the temperature difference between
the inlet and the outlet of the heating medium--refrigerant heat
exchanger 122, therefore improving the COP of the heat source unit
102.
(7) Modified Example 4
In the air conditioning system 101 of the above described
embodiments and the modified examples, the humidifier 182 that uses
a spray nozzle or an air washer is used as a humidifier for
humidifying the ventilation air. However, it is not limited
thereto, and a moisture permeable film having a moisture
permeability may be used.
For example, the air conditioning system 101, as shown in FIG. 14,
which does not include the fan convector 142 but includes the first
supply water heat exchanger 192 connected to the refrigerant
circuit 120 and the second supply water heat exchanger 193 (see
FIG. 12) connected to the heating medium circuit 104, may be
provided with a humidifier 183 comprising a moisture permeable film
module 183a having a plurality of tube shaped moisture permeable
films, and a water supply pipe 181 for supplying water to the
moisture permeable film module 183a of the humidifier 183. Here,
the moisture permeable film module 183a is provided with a passage
such that the ventilation air that is heated by the outdoor air
heating heat exchanging device 144 and then supplied to the room
passes over the outside of the moisture permeable film. In
addition, the inside of the moisture permeable film is configured
such that water heated in the supply water heating device 191 and
then supplied to the moisture permeable film module 183a is
introduced therein, and is capable of humidifying the ventilation
air by causing water that is supplied to the moisture permeable
film to contact with the ventilation air via the moisture permeable
film. As the moisture permeable film, polytetrafluoroethylene
(PTFE) and the like may be used.
Also in this case, the ventilation air can be humidified by
supplying water heated in the supply water heating device 191 to
the moisture permeable film of the moisture permeable film module
183a of the humidifier 183 and by causing this supplied water to
contact with the ventilation air via the moisture permeable film.
Therefore, as in the above described embodiments and the modified
examples, even when the absolute humidity of the ventilation air is
lower than the absolute humidity of the room air, it is possible to
prevent the room from becoming dry due to the supply of ventilation
air to the room.
(8) Modified Example 5
In the air conditioning system 101 of the above described modified
example 4, the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144 that
heats the ventilation air that is supplied to the room by the air
supply device 103 is connected to the heating medium circuit 104,
however, this may be omitted, and the moisture permeable film
module of the humidifier may be configured to function as an
outdoor air heating heat exchanging device.
For example, in the air conditioning system 101, as shown in FIG.
15, which does not include the fan convector 142 but includes the
first supply water heat exchanger 192 connected to the refrigerant
circuit 120 and the second supply water heat exchanger 193 (see
FIG. 12) connected to the heating medium circuit 104, the outdoor
air heating heat exchanging device 144 may be omitted, and the
ventilation air may be heated and humidified by causing water that
is heated in the supply water heating device 191 and supplied to
the moisture permeable film of the moisture permeable film module
184a to contact with the ventilation air via the moisture permeable
film. Here, in order to facilitate heat exchange between
ventilation air and water, it is desirable to increase the heat
transfer area between ventilation air and water by, for example,
increasing the size of a moisture permeable film module 184a.
Also in this case, it is possible to humidify the ventilation air
by supplying water heated in the supply water heating device 191 to
the moisture permeable film of the moisture permeable film module
184a of the humidifier 184 and by causing this supplied water to
contact with the ventilation air via the moisture permeable film.
Therefore, as in the above described embodiments and modified
examples, even when the absolute humidity of the ventilation air is
lower than the absolute humidity of the room air, it is possible to
prevent the room from becoming dry due to the supply of ventilation
air to the room.
(9) Modified Example 6
In the air conditioning system 101 of the above described modified
example 5, the outdoor air heating heat exchanging device 144 is
omitted, and also the moisture permeable film module 184a of the
humidifier 184 is configured to function as an outdoor air heating
heat exchanging device. However, further, water can be used as the
heating medium in the heating medium circuit 104 and also the
supply water heating device 191 can be omitted so that water that
flows through the heating medium circuit 104 may be used as water
that is supplied to the humidifier.
For example, in the air conditioning system 101, as shown in FIG.
16, which does not include the fan convector 142 but includes the
first supply water heat exchanger 192 connected to the refrigerant
circuit 120 and the second supply water heat exchanger 193 (see
FIG. 12) connected to the heating medium circuit 104, the outdoor
air heating heat exchanging device 144 and the supply water heating
device 191 may be omitted, and a humidifier 185 having a moisture
permeable film module 185a may be connected between the floor
heating device 143 and the heating medium circulating pump 145 in
the heating medium circuit 104 so as to cause water as the heating
medium that circulates in the heating medium circuit 104 to pass
into the moisture permeable film module 185a.
In this air conditioning system 101, the humidifier 185 having the
moisture permeable film module 185a can both heat and humidify the
ventilation air by causing water as the heating medium that
circulates in the heating medium circuit 104 to contact with the
ventilation air via the moisture permeable film. Accordingly, the
humidifier 185 comprises a function of the supply water heating
device. In this way, for example, the water supply pipe 181 for
supplying water to the humidifier can be simplified, and this will
enable simplification of the configuration of the air conditioning
system 101. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, it will be possible
to connect the water supply pipe 181 to the heating medium circuit
104 at the upstream of the heating medium circulating pump 145 via
an expansion tank 194 and an inlet valve 195, so that the
configuration can be simplified compared to the case in which the
supply water heating device is provided. Note that, in this
modified example, as shown in FIG. 16, water as the heating medium
that flows through the heating medium circuit 104 is supplied to
the humidifier 185, so that it is desirable that the heating medium
circuit 104 is provided with a discharge valve in order to
discharge a certain amount of water from the heating medium circuit
104 for the purpose of water quality management.
In addition, for example, as in the air conditioning system 101
shown in FIG. 17, the heating medium circuit 104 of the air
conditioning system shown in FIG. 16 may be divided into a first
divided heating medium circuit 104a that circulates the heating
medium between the humidifier 185 and the heating
medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122, and a second divided
heating medium circuit 104b that circulates the heating medium
between the radiator 141 and the floor heating device 143 and the
heating medium--refrigerant heat exchanger 122.
In this air conditioning system 101, the first divided heating
medium circuit 104a to which the humidifier 185 is connected is a
system different from the second divided heating medium circuit
104b to which the radiator 141 and the floor heating device 143 are
connected, so that it is possible to make the second divided
heating medium circuit 104b as a closed circulation circuit.
(10) Other Embodiments
While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been
described with reference to the figures, the scope of the present
invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the various
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
scope of the present invention.
For example, the air conditioning system of the above described
embodiment uses, as a heat source unit, a heat source unit that has
a refrigerant circuit dedicated to heating. However, a heat source
unit capable of switchably performing cooling and heating
operations may be used.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
Application of the present invention will enable, in the air
conditioning system capable of heating the room, the prevention of
a decrease in the humidity in the room caused by the ventilation
air that is supplied to the room to ventilate the room.
* * * * *